Washington, D.C. June 13, 2022. Kashmiri Americans of Washington metropolitan area hosted a graduation ceremony at ‘Kashmir House’ Maryland for 2022 graduates. The certificates were given by “Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA)” to new graduate for their achievements and accomplishments. Following proud graduates were among the recipients of the certificates.
Zara Liaqat Raja; Aliza Zulfaqar; Rimsha Sabir; Hina Khadam; Hasham Waseen; Husnan Arshid
The participants also expressed solidarity with Yasin Malik, one of the most prominent leaders of Kashmir’s political resistance movement. Mr. Malik was given life imprisonment by an India’s Kangaroo court for his ‘crime’ that he pleaded for the liberation of his nation from the illegal occupation of India. What an inspirational speech by Yasin Malik during his trial at the court, “If seeking Azadi (freedom) is a crime, then I am ready to accept this crime and its consequences,” Associated Press.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum said if Yasin Malik is a terrorist as India has charged him, then how to explain the eagerness of a person no less important than then the prime minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh to urge Malik during an official meeting on February 17, 2006, to help initiate a peaceful negotiation for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Dr. Manmohan Singh sought the meeting with Malik because of non-violent ideology that Yasin Malik was pursing since 1994.
The world powers must realize that alienating peace-loving leaders like Yasin Malik, closes any chance of peace in the region of South Asia and pushes the new generation towards actions that can be detrimental to the peaceful resolution of Kashmir conflict. As we know that the youth has been raised with blood and tears for which death no longer poses a threat for what can death do that life has not done before: their suffering is freeing them from fear. Kashmiri freedom from fear has led to the powerful peaceful protests we have witnessed on the streets of Srinagar (The Capital city of Kashmir), Fai continued.
Fai emphasized that we need to strive for making the subcontinent a region of peace and of shared prosperity. It could be achieved if India moves beyond its present inflexible political agenda and realizes that the people are the real stakeholder when we talk about the conflict of Kashmir.
Human rights are cheapened, said Dr. Fai, when enforcement of world powers is selective.
Sardar Zarif Khan, emcee of the event appealed to the United Nations and other world organizations to shed their protracted silence and earnestly impress upon the Indian government to let international standards of justice prevail and free Mohammad Yasin Malik and leaders, like Khurram Parvez, Shabir Shah, Aasia Andrabi, Masarat Aalam and others.
Raja Liaqat Kayani, the President of ‘Kashmir House’ said that in their struggle against the tyranny of foreign occupation and to regain their rights, the people of Kashmir look for support from world leaders, including the United States of America of conscience and concern who stand for freedom, democratic rights and human dignity.
Shoaib Irshad emphasized that the gruesome status quo in Kashmir is both legally and morally unacceptable and militarily and economically frightening. There is no time for further complacency.
Asif Khan said that we will have to be the voice of the voiceless people, be it Kashmir, Palestine, Myanmar, etc. He added that a major problem in human rights enforcement is that countries that violate human rights have no consequences serious enough to change their actions. The international community has remained complacent in many parts of the world, including Kashmir.
Waseem khan said that today the situation in Jammu and Kashmir presents a grave danger to international peace and security, not just regional. In relation to the role of the international community, he said that it had not delivered either on its political commitments or on human rights.
Asghar khan said that there existed desperation in Kashmir because a stony silence has been maintained by the world powers towards the human rights catastrophe which is being faced by the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Abid khan said that status quo is completely unacceptable. Will of the people is of paramount importance it should be ascertained. Efforts for a solution should be made but ultimately it must be referred to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shafiq shah said that the issue of Kashmir has remained a challenge for the conscience of the members of the civilized world. People of Kashmir need our attention and moral support and we will not let them down.
Dr. Fai can be reached at: 1-202-607-6435 or gnfai2003@yahoo.com
